L14 Motor Control - PSC 101

These flashcards cover key concepts discussed in the lecture on motor control, focusing on the functionalities of the motor system, the role of the basal ganglia, associated diseases, and the mechanics of movement planning and execution.

Motor System

A complex network of brain areas and neural circuits that translates thoughts into actions and interacts with skeletal muscles.

Basal Ganglia

Collection of brain areas that regulate motor movements, acting as a gating mechanism for motor actions.

Direct Pathway

Pathway in the basal ganglia that excites the cortex and results in executed motor action plans.

Indirect Pathway

Pathway in the basal ganglia that inhibits the cortex, resulting in blocked motor action plans.

Dopamine (DA)

An important signaling molecule in the basal ganglia that influences the direct and indirect pathways.

Parkinson’s Disease

A genetic disease characterized by the death of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra, resulting in decreased motor control.

Huntington’s Disease

A genetic disease that causes breakdown in the indirect pathway of the basal ganglia, leading to excessive motor actions.

Hypokinesia

A symptom of Parkinson's disease, indicating reduced voluntary movement.

Hyperkinesia

A symptom of Huntington's disease, indicating excessive involuntary movements.

Population Vectors

A coding mechanism in the primary motor cortex that helps determine the direction of motor actions based on the relative activity of multiple columns.